president obama recently appointed him to of the advisory committee for trade policy and negotiations. provides policy advice on trade matters, and he and i work together a number of significant matters during his years in the house. we're glad to have you back here. please go ahead. >> thank you. members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to testify before you today. and on behalf of the border security and in it -- modernization act of 2013 i had the privilege of serving in the united states congress from 1985 to 2007, representing -- representing t fifth and eighth congressional district. immigration has always been a issue in this border district. i applaud the senators in the so-called gang of eight who spent many months preparing this legislation. the bill currently before the committee is an excellent start that offers many possible provisions. others on this panel will discuss various economic considerations, but i want to talk about one particular provision, completing family unification. i know, as the partner of an immigrant how difficult it can be to build a life